2014 NFL Mock Draft: Matt Miller's Updated 7-Round Predictions

The 2014 NFL draft is just under five weeks away, and more so than any previous year, the top of the draft remains a mystery.

Will the Houston Texans draft a quarterback with the top pick, or will they go with a generational talent like Jadeveon Clowney? And what will happen after the No. 1 overall pick and the domino reaction set off by Houston?

To try and predict what NFL general managers will do is foolish. Instead, this mock draft will take a look at each team's biggest needs as well as how they can fill those needs and grab the best talent available based on my big board. This isn't a mock draft that attempts to be accurate regarding exactly what will happen on May 8; it is based upon what teams should do on draft day.

1. Houston Texans

Tied with Teddy Bridgewater for my top overall ranking, Jadeveon Clowney is considered by most to be the greatest defensive prospect of the last five years—or more. The prospect of pairing him with J.J. Watt should have Bill O'Brien doing cartwheels in his office.

The Texans do need a quarterback, but hear me out: The depth and value at quarterback is better than the depth at defensive end. We're talking about the two most important positions on the field. Grabbing a once-in-a-decade talent like Clowney here and waiting to select a quarterback at the top of the second round is the best way for Houston to get impact, value, depth and the most possible potential from their top two picks.

2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)

The St. Louis Rams have many needs, and they can go in a few directions here—if they keep the pick. In a mock draft without trades, they are holding onto the No. 2 overall pick, but don't be surprised if the Rams make a decision to move out of this pick on May 8.

Assuming, for now, that Les Snead decides to draft a player here, the Rams have to look at the offensive line. They did re-sign Rodger Saffold, but he'll play guard for the team. Jake Long was a very good left tackle in 2013, but he missed the end of the year with an injury and may not be ready to go in Week 1. That leaves a big hole at left tackle opposite the big hole at right tackle.

Greg Robinson is a freak, and his natural strength and quickness would work well on either side of the line. He's not as established or clean of a pass-blocker as Jake Matthews, but his dominance in the running game and upside make him too tempting to pass up.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

Teddy Bridgewater is tied for my top overall ranking, and as the draft's best and most NFL-ready quarterback, he's exactly what the Jacksonville Jaguars need.

Bridgewater may not be the sexy pick—like Johnny Manziel—and he may not have the huge potential of Blake Bortles, but he's ready to lead right now. And unlike Manziel or Bortles, the question marks surrounding Bridgewater are much smaller. His poise, pocket presence, accuracy and ability to make reads, both pre- and post-snap, are the reasons why the Louisville quarterback should be the new franchise guy in Jacksonville.

4. Cleveland Browns

Richard Shiro

The Pick: WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson

If the Cleveland Browns are serious about building an elite offense, they need to make Sammy Watkins their pick at No. 4 overall—not Manziel or Bortles.

Paired with Jordan Cameron and Josh Gordon, Watkins would give the Browns a set of offensive skill players that they've lacked in the past. And as recent examples in San Francisco and Seattle have shown, if you don't love the quarterbacks available at your pick, it's much wiser to build a solid team first and then add a lower-risk quarterback later.

The Browns can do that with pick No. 26 and invest their top pick in the explosive, dynamic playmaker in Watkins.

5. Oakland Raiders

Michael Conroy

The Pick: OLB Khalil Mack, Buffalo

Quarterback was the No. 1 need for the Oakland Raiders when the offseason began, but the move to acquire Matt Schaub makes it less likely the front office goes after a young quarterback here. In fact, every move general manager Reggie McKenzie has made this year points to a "win now" philosophy, and a rookie quarterback won't help in that area.

A player who could help is Khalil Mack. Pairing the explosive edge defender with last year's pick, Sio Moore, would give the Raiders a formidable young duo at outside linebacker. Behind a defensive line featuring Justin Tuck, LaMarr Woodley and Pat Sims, both Mack and Moore could excel.

6. Atlanta Falcons

Patric Schneider

The Pick: OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M

The Atlanta Falcons would really like to see Khalil Mack on the board here—and don't rule out a trade up on May 8—but in this mock, the team gets an amazing consolation prize in blue-chip left tackle Jake Matthews.

Matthews has everything you want from a left tackle, and he immediately looks like a 12-year starter with high-end ability. He may not have the ceiling of Greg Robinson, but he's a much safer pick given his experience, production, versatility and near-perfect technique.

Matthews can play left or right tackle, allowing the team to be flexible in how it uses Sam Baker while finding the best potential duo to keep Matt Ryan upright and throwing bombs to Julio Jones and Roddy White.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Patric Schneider

The Pick: WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M

Even before the off-field issues surrounding Mike Williams came to light, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed help at wide receiver. Now, with Williams likely falling out of favor with the front office, they almost have to make the position a priority. (UPDATE: Williams has been traded to the Buffalo Bills for a sixth-round draft pick, per James Walker of ESPN.com.)

Adding a talented, big matchup nightmare like Mike Evans is the right way to fix the problems on offense. Paired with Vincent Jackson, Evans would give Lovie Smith a duo much like the pairing of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery he had in Chicago.

Also, anyone watching Josh McCown deliver the ball to those two big targets in Chicago least season saw him excel in those situations. Giving McCown a similar supporting cast in Tampa is a great way to stack the deck for this up-and-coming team.

8. Minnesota Vikings

At face value, Johnny Manziel and Mike Zimmer may seem like an odd couple—but sometimes those situations work out the best.

As the Minnesota Vikings look for a future franchise quarterback, Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman must be open to every possibility. And with the No. 8 overall pick, there is only one player worth drafting now that Teddy Bridgewater is off the board. That player is Manziel.

His style of play may not be prototypical, but you can certainly appreciate his skill set and the ways in which he makes a defense uncomfortable. No one will understand that better than Zimmer given his background as a defensive coordinator.

Manziel may not be the play-it-safe quarterback some want to hand the Vikings, but he's the type of matchup nightmare that can terrorize a defense.

9. Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills won the jackpot with their 2013 draft class. Now, general manager Doug Whaley will look to bolster a young roster with more home runs. Up first on their list of priorities is filling in holes on offense.

The Bills would likely hope to see either Greg Robinson or Jake Matthews available here, but with both off the board, they will turn their attention to a pass-catching target to open up the offense for EJ Manuel and co. Eric Ebron can do that from the tight end position.

Ebron is like a Vernon Davis lite, using his rare speed and burst to make plays in space. He's also a better blocker than many realize and can play either in-line or flexed out in a slot position. Ebron's versatility, speed and considerable upside make him a slam dunk for this young, innovative offense.

10. Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions need a makeover in the secondary. However, the biggest area of need isn't at cornerback; rather, it's at free safety.

The departure of Louis Delmas opens a big hole in the defensive backfield, and Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix could not only fill that hole, but he could be an upgrade there. Given the talent in Detroit's front seven, Clinton-Dix could play center field for the Lions, using his vision and range to attack the ball on every down.

While he may not be in Earl Thomas' neighborhood as a prospect, Clinton-Dix can play the same role.

11. Tennessee Titans

The loss of Alterraun Verner in free agency opens up a big need at cornerback opposite Jason McCourty. Justin Gilbert would be the ideal man to step into Ray Horton's scheme.

At 6'0", 200 lbs, Gilbert has the size and speed to be a press-coverage cornerback and excel as a ball hawk. He also brings big value as a return man, as his open-field speed shows on defense and special teams.

And what you like best about Gilbert is that he's NFL ready and can instantly step in and produce as a boundary cornerback matched up against top-tier wide receivers.

12. New York Giants

Michael Conroy

The Pick: DT Aaron Donald, Pitt

The New York Giants have enjoyed a very active and aggressive offseason. However, in the draft, general manager Jerry Reese will be tasked with finding both instant-impact players and the much-needed youth with which to reload this roster.

Pitt's Aaron Donald took home every award that a defensive lineman could win last season. Turn on any game tape from his days at Pitt, and you'll quickly see his dominance. That same level of play followed him to the Senior Bowl and NFL combine.

As the draft's best 3-technique pass-rusher at defensive tackle, Donald would provide the Giants with exactly what Tom Coughlin and co. couldn't find on the free-agent market.

13. St. Louis Rams

Michael Conroy

The Pick: CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State

The St. Louis Rams grabbed a cornerstone offensive lineman with pick No. 2, but they're not done adding starters in this draft. The team has a hole at cornerback after the release of Cortland Finnegan, and it needs a strong, physical player to step into Gregg Williams' defense.

Darqueze Dennard is an ideal fit for the Rams defense. He can play up near the line of scrimmage and alter the opposing offense's game plan with his hands, short-area quickness and aggressiveness.

While not an ideal fit in every scheme, Dennard's man-coverage skills are great for St. Louis. He doesn't have the top-end speed of Justin Gilbert, but his physical style of play is a perfect fit for the Rams.

14. Chicago Bears

Colin Hackley

The Pick: DT Timmy Jernigan, FSU

The Chicago Bears would love to see Aaron Donald still available at pick No. 14, but in this scenario, they're just outside his range. Timmy Jernigan is a good second option for Phil Emery and the Bears staff in their quest to find a 3-technique tackle.

Jernigan looked like a top-five pick at times this year. Turn on the national championship game, and it is easy to see that he was the best player on the field. His quickness off the ball is matched by his strength, and when Jernigan is dialed in, he's unstoppable.

The question is how often he'll be giving his all. Too often Jernigan disappeared from games, but if you're looking at his top-end performances as his ceiling, he has the talent to be a steal at pick No. 14.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers

Michael Conroy

The Pick: DE Kony Ealy, Missouri

The Pittsburgh Steelers can go a number of directions with pick No. 15, but if I'm staying true to my big board and looking at their current and future needs, Missouri's Kony Ealy makes a ton of sense.

Where does Ealy play? That's a big question many people have. He could fit as a 4-3 defensive end, to be sure, but he has the body type (6'4", 273 lbs) and natural strength to gain 10 pounds and become a top-level athlete as a 3-4 defensive end. And that's what Pittsburgh needs to take a stale defense and make it stout again.

Ealy can anchor from the defensive end position, but in a one-gap scheme, he would also be able to pressure the quarterback and provide the pass-rushing presence the Steelers have lacked from the position.

This would represent a change in philosophy from the team's typical 300-plus-pound 5-techniques, but there is no doubt that Ealy would help light a fire under the Pittsburgh defense.

16. Dallas Cowboys

Alex Gallardo

The Pick: DE/OLB Anthony Barr, UCLA

Anthony Barr to the Dallas Cowboys may have you wondering exactly how he fits. Trust me, he does.

The Cowboys have relied on smaller, hybrid DE/OLB types before, such as DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. Barr is the same type of player. And at 255 pounds, he's shown the ability to put on weight and maintain his quickness and flexibility.

Barr is not a finished product, though. He's spent just two years at outside linebacker after making the move from wide receiver and running back. He needs time, but the natural gifts are all there. He won't fail for a lack of effort or ability. And in Rod Marinelli's defense, an edge defender like Barr has tremendous value when rushing the quarterback.

17. Baltimore Ravens

Michael Conroy

The Pick: CB Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech

In my previous mock drafts, the Baltimore Ravens were almost always selecting a wide receiver here, but the signing of Steve Smith has filled that need. Now, general manager Ozzie Newsome can focus on reloading a defense that's getting old and thinned out at key spots.

The team has a good one-two punch at cornerback with Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith, who showed late last season that he may be ready to play major snaps. But you can never have too many good cornerbacks, and with Kyle Fuller on the board, Newsome can shore up his secondary while building the depth you need to win.

But don't think of Fuller as just a depth player. With so many NFL defenses playing nickel and dime packages the majority of the time, Fuller would be on the field as often as most starters while serving as the team's No. 3 cornerback. He could also push Smith, who hasn't yet proven he's ready to stack up as a starter through a full season.

18. New York Jets

The New York Jets spent money in free agency to fix the wide receiver position, but Eric Decker won't fix all that's wrong with the team's wide receiver depth chart. The Jets need a true No. 1 wideout, and no one on the roster has that potential.

Odell Beckham does have that potential. The LSU standout attacks the ball as well as any player in this draft, and he shows the speed to make big plays after the catch, too. In an offense featuring Mike Vick or Geno Smith, Beckham's ability to get open underneath or press a defense deep will be huge.

Given Vick and Smith's different strengths and skill sets, a versatile wide receiver like Beckham is a better value than a bigger target like Kelvin Benjamin, who is impressive but comes into the NFL very raw as a route-runner and lacks deep speed.

19. Miami Dolphins

David Zalubowski

The Pick: OT/OG Zack Martin, Notre Dame

It's no surprise that the Miami Dolphins need major help along the offensive line. That's even after signing Branden Albert to play left tackle and picking up a potential swing tackle in Jason Fox. If Zack Martin is on the board, he'll make Dennis Hickey's first draft-day decision an easy one.

Martin is a versatile player, as he could line up at any spot other than center once he is in the NFL. He has the tools to be an All-Pro as a guard, even if he's drafted and begins his career at right tackle. No matter where the Dolphins play him, though, Martin's awareness, experience and agility make him an upgrade over anything they currently have. He's also the type of high-character player the team needs in the locker room right now.

20. Arizona Cardinals

Nam Y. Huh

The Pick: QB Blake Bortles, UCF

Blake Bortles' draft-day fall ends with pick No. 20, and the Arizona Cardinals get their quarterback of the future.

Why the fall for Bortles? He's currently ranked No. 17 on my big board and has fallen considerably in the past months. While he does have undeniable upside and intrigue, Bortles doesn't come into the NFL game-ready. He may be the first pick in the draft on May 8, but in a mock draft based on where players should go, I can't value him inside the top five.

In Arizona, Bortles can sit and learn behind Carson Palmer while correcting the mechanical issues that keep him from being ready for the NFL. With Palmer and Bruce Arians mentoring him, Bortles would be in an ideal situation to succeed once called upon.

21. Green Bay Packers

Rick Osentoski

The Pick: FS Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois

The Green Bay Packers defense is hoping for a jolt of energy with Julius Peppers on the roster now, but unless the big defensive end has learned to play free safety this offseason, the Packers' top need is still unfilled.

Since Nick Collins' injury, the team has lacked a playmaking center fielder, but it can fix that by adding Jimmie Ward. As the Packers plan a more attacking, versatile defense, Ward is the type of single-high safety they need next to a hitter like Morgan Burnett.

Ward excels in coverage, but he's fluid and aggressive playing the run, too. He might not have the hype of Calvin Pryor or Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, but Ward is an ideal fit in the Packers system.

22. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have quickly reloaded on defense thanks to smart free-agent pickups and nice drafting, but they still need an impact safety patrolling the back end.

Calvin Pryor is a physical specimen coming out of Louisville. He's fluid, shows the closing speed you want and hits like a Mack truck. The former Cardinal also has experience playing free safety and showed solid range and awareness there. Once in the NFL, he can easily play either safety position, but he projects best as a rover who can come down into the box and completely attack the offense.

That's what the Eagles lack right now on that side of the ball. Adding Pryor as the enforcer in the secondary will help complete Chip Kelly's defense.

23. Kansas City Chiefs

The 2013 Biletnikoff Award winner, Brandin Cooks absolutely abused Pac-12 defenses with his speed, open-field vision and playmaking ability. That's what Andy Reid hopes he'll bring to the NFL. If so, Cooks can step into the Kansas City offense and fill a DeSean Jackson-like role.

Too many will look at Cooks' size (5'10", 189 lbs) and automatically assign him to the slot. That would be a mistake. Cooks is a matchup nightmare and can play anywhere on offense. He's quick enough to play in the slot and excel, but he runs a full route tree and has proven himself as an outside receiver. And like Jackson or Percy Harvin, what he does after the catch is impressive, no matter where he catches it.

24. Cincinnati Bengals

Michael Conroy

The Pick: CB Jason Verrett, TCU

Leon Hall remains one of the better veteran cornerbacks in the NFL, but opposite him, the Cincinnati Bengals have problems.

Adam Jones and Terence Newman are nearing dinosaur status, and former first-rounder Dre Kirkpatrick is nearing bust status. The need for a true starting-caliber cornerback is big. Jason Verrett isn't big, but he plays like he is.

Verrett (5'9", 189 lbs) is one of the best pure cover men in the class. He's physical at the line of scrimmage and shows the agility and burst to be very comfortable in space. Ask him to attack the ball and he'll do it, as Verrett shows good hands and top-tier closing speed.

If you get past his lack of elite height, Verrett's tools scream "Day 1 starter."

25. San Diego Chargers

Michael Conroy

The Pick: CB Bradley Roby, Ohio State

Much like the Cincinnati Bengals, the San Diego Chargers have a strong, young defense in place. Their needs in the secondary, though, are becoming bigger. The Chargers lack a true No. 1 cornerback, and there's no one on the roster with that type of developmental potential either.

Enter Bradley Roby. The Big Ten standout did struggle at times in 2013 after posting an All-American season in 2012, but he has all the tools (footwork, strength, speed) to be a top-tier outside cornerback.

26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis)

With the No. 4 overall pick, the Cleveland Browns added a dynamic playmaker in Sammy Watkins. Now, they'll use the pick they received in exchange for Trent Richardson last season in order to find a quarterback of the future.

Everyone you talk to in Cleveland will tell you the team likes Brian Hoyer at quarterback—at least as a short-term option. What the team needs is someone to challenge Hoyer and be there if he's not the answer. Derek Carr at No. 26 overall is the perfect value.

Carr has a big arm and prototypical quarterback tools and is an underrated athlete. Like a mild-mannered Jay Cutler, he can put the ball anywhere on the field and has the accuracy to open up the offense for Watkins, Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron.

27. New Orleans Saints

Hal Yeager

The Pick: DE/OLB Dee Ford, Auburn

The transition to a 3-4 defense under Rob Ryan has gone well in New Orleans, but the team needs a pass-rusher.

Dee Ford is a unique talent, and his burst off the edge could easily land him much higher in the draft. But the way the board falls here, he's available for the Saints, and they should do backflips when the card is handed in.

Ford is more than just a pass-rusher, though. For a 6'2", 252-pound edge player, he holds anchor against the run well and is very aware and smart in attacking the football. If the quarterback is out of his reach, Ford will start throwing his arms in an attempt to bat the ball away or swat it down after it is released. He's one of the more game-ready defenders in the entire class and could have a huge impact in New Orleans.

28. Carolina Panthers

We all know that the Carolina Panthers need help at wide receiver, but that's not their biggest need. Left tackle is actually the team's most glaring weakness.

The retirement of Jordan Gross put the team in a tough spot. Not only must they completely rebuild the wide receiver corps, but they must find a blindside protector to keep Cam Newton's jersey clean. Add those needs on top of existing holes throughout the offensive line and secondary, and this is a big offseason for Dave Gettleman and the front office.

Taylor Lewan comes with some off-field question marks, but he's the tough-as-nails blocker the team needs when facing NFC South defenses. That he's still available at No. 28 overall is more due to the allegations off the field than it is a lack of talent.

29. New England Patriots

Michael Conroy

The Pick: OG Brandon Thomas, Clemson

No one can accurately predict what Bill Belichick will do on draft day, but if the New England Patriots do keep this pick, the big board would be set up for the team to add an interior pass protector for Tom Brady.

Brandon Thomas played left tackle at Clemson but projects best as a guard at the next level—and a very good guard at that. Thomas would instantly be an upgrade for the team at right guard and could give them a plan for the end of Logan Mankins' career. That, and his ability to help in the running game and in protecting the aging Brady, makes him well worth the No. 29 pick.

30. San Francisco 49ers

Michael Conroy

The Pick: WR Davante Adams, Fresno State

The San Francisco 49ers need a wide receiver to stretch the defense. Davante Adams can be that guy and more.

With the big arm of Colin Kaepernick, there is a legitimate need for a receiver who can stretch the field and take the top off the defense. Anquan Boldin isn't that guy, and neither is Michael Crabtree. Quinton Patton might be, but adding a fourth wide receiver to give the team maximum flexibility in terms of personnel makes a ton of sense given Boldin's age and the team's few immediate needs.

This is a classic Trent Baalke pick, as it sets the 49ers up for the future. But on the other hand, the chance they keep this pick has to be considered incredibly low given their 11 total picks in the draft and very few open roster spots.

31. Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are a team with few needs, but one major area of immediate concern is at middle linebacker. Filling that hole in Round 1 will be tough, unless C.J. Mosley is still on the board.

As the only true middle linebacker with a first-round grade on my board, Mosley could be in high demand. But there are concerns, as he leaves Alabama with a knee injury that he suffered in early 2012 and it's still bothering him.

Mosley, like many Alabama players, comes into the league beat up. But he's also incredibly talented and instinctive and has the range to be an every-down middle linebacker.

32. Seattle Seahawks

Michael Conroy

The Pick: WR Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State

The Seattle Seahawks are far from conventional—or predictable—when it comes to the NFL draft. General manager John Schneider doesn't care about being liked or praised by the media, and his no-nonsense approach led to a quick turnaround and Super Bowl win.

Now, he has to replace lost players and continue to improve the roster.

Up first is the wide receiver position. The team released Sidney Rice and lost Golden Tate to free agency, and while Percy Harvin should have a much bigger role next season, the Seahawks lack a defined depth chart. Harvin, Jermaine Kearse and Doug Baldwin will share touches, but they need to replace the red-zone ability of Tate.

Kelvin Benjamin will give Russell Wilson the big (6'5", 240 lbs), strong target over the middle and in the end zone that he lacked in 2013. The Seahawks' need for a physical presence in the passing game will be answered by the hulking Florida State wideout.